Num 31:15 | MHM | STEP | v. 15 : Moses was very upset when he saw that the soldiers had allowed the Midianite women to live ( v. 15 ). He reminded them that these women were the ones who had led Israel into sin at Peor (see Numbers 25:1-3 ). According to the law, both adulterers and adulteresses were to be put to death (see Leviticus 20:10 ). God had already judged Israel's men for their sin by sending a plague, so now the Midianite women—who tempted Israel—were also to be punished. Moses also warned that letting these women live was dangerous; they could tempt Israel again and cause more trouble. Therefore, he ordered that all grown women be killed, but the female children could be spared.

‏ Numbers 31:15

v. 15: Moses was very upset when he saw that the soldiers had allowed the Midianite women to live (v. 15 ^a). He reminded them that these women were the ones who had led Israel into sin at Peor (see Numbers 25:1-3 ^b). According to the law, both adulterers and adulteresses were to be put to death (see Leviticus 20:10 ^c). God had already judged Israel's men for their sin by sending a plague, so now the Midianite women—who tempted Israel—were also to be punished. Moses also warned that letting these women live was dangerous; they could tempt Israel again and cause more trouble. Therefore, he ordered that all grown women be killed, but the female children could be spared.